Apple, rosehip, lemongrass + ginger compote

It’s no secret I like tea. I like it so much I fear for the colour of my teeth, imagining a British-style grin in my later years. Hell, in my next decade if I’m not careful.

The problem is I’ve a hard time moving away from black tea 99% of the time. Strong black tea. Two sugars. A quarter of a half of a dash of milk.

I’m very good with chamomile, peppermint and green tea when the occasion or need arises. But my tunnel vision really prevents me from A. trying new brands; and B. trying new flavours.

It has also prevented me from buying Australian-made, fairtrade and organic. Three of the things I try to do with all the products I buy. I was in that much of a tea tunnel.

Thanks very much to Nerada Tea for busting me out of my comfort zone with a box of goodies and a “just try it” attitude. I’m so damn glad I did because there is a whole world of tea out there I was missing out on – like this Green Tea and Lemon Myrtle.

Oh my god excuse me, but I’m an idiot. I love lemon in tea. I love lemon myrtle-flavoured anything. I just did not know this existed and I’m a poorer tea drinker for it. The green tea is so subtle and the lemon myrtle scent as soon as I opened the box had me wishing I’d not filled the kettle so full so I didn’t have to wait so long for it to boil. The taste was just perfect – not too strong and not so subtle that I was left wondering if I was drinking hot water that had just looked at a tea bag.

And please, can we talk about this Rooibos with Vanilla?

Oh my god, the vanilla. Roo what? who cares, the vanilla.

I have purposely left the box of tea on my bench as it has filled the kitchen with the most luscious scent. I do not use that word lightly. In fact, I don’t even like the word but it’s the only one that comes to mind. The vanilla is so warm and rich and I know I sound dramatic, but it is seriously divine. Just smelling it as I bring the cup to my mouth makes me happy.

Nerada has so many other flavours I was not aware of – even an iced tea range. So far I’ve loved them all, but these two are totally my favourites. Their black tea makes a fantastic cup, and most their herbal range is caffeine-free, which is awesome for pregnant ladies and people trying to avoid it generally.

I liked the organic Rosehip with Lemongrass and Ginger so much, I immediately pictured it with apples and honey. So I made a little compote for my yogurt, and grudgingly shared it with my kid:

I simmered four large peeled and diced apples with half a cup of boiling water in which the rosehip teabag had been steeping 4 mintues. I drizzled in a little honey. I cooked until it was a delightful, soft mushy mess. Tomorrow it’s going to make an appearance on my porridge, and it would make a pretty awesome apple crumble, if I do say so myself.

Ashamed of my tea ignorance, I asked (and looked) for more information about how Nerada tea is grown and produced. I had no idea it is the largest grower and manufacturer of tea in Australia. It is also the largest supplier of Fairtrade and organic herbal infusions and tea in the country. I like this. I like it a hell of a lot. They have pesticide-free black tea, iced tea, infusions, green tea, white tea, and blends like the Rooibos and Vanilla, and Chai. Their black tea is grown in tropical north Queensland and they have been around since 1882.

Since 1882… and I’m only discovering it now. I posted a picture on Instagram and everyone was all “oh I love Nerada!” and I felt like that dumb kid that is always the last to know all the cool things.

Their website has a ton of information about the background, tea and its health properties, the history of tea, how to brew a perfect cup, and super-cool recipes to either have with tea or using it. (note to self – make Anzac biscuits).

Do YOU drink Nerada? Why didn’t you tell me? And if you don’t, or haven’t yet, it’s sold in supermarkets and independent grocers. You need that vanilla in your life.

Keep reading 👇🏼

Reader Interactions

Comments

Yep love Nerada. I have a cup of their green tea with lemon myrtle first thing every morning and drink their lemongrass & ginger a few times during the day. Didn't know the rosehip one also has ginger. I'm a total ginger fiend. Love the sound of the compote!

I love tea too (i don't drink coffee, which people – especially French people – find surprising for a French girl). Anyway, I have a similar problem about fearing for my teeth. I mean tea really does stain your teeth! 🙁 Anyway, I almost never drink black tea (except Earl Grey), I prefer green or herbal tea. I never add sugar, nor milk! Your recipe looks lovely. What a good idea to use tea in compote! I made some compote last week (apple, pear, banana, cinnamon and honey). In France we like to use a food processor to make the compote consistency more like a purée (baby food style).

I do drink Nerada, but strictly black loose leaf. Madura do a nice cuppa too. I love earl grey, girlie grey and orange pekoe. I will drink English breakfast at a pinch. Clearly I am still in the not very adventurous with my tea stage. Also, horror! I am heavy handed with the milk. So if I ever make you a cuppa don't utter the words 'as it comes.' x x

I'm a bit of a fan of the Rooibus Vanilla tea. I'm sad and can't have anything with caffiene in it before bedtime so I like to have a cup of that tea. With a dash of milk and spoon of honey, it's delicious!

LEMON MYRTLE EVERYTHING. I would never have thought of putting tea with fruit, but – OF COURSE! I'm a total tea brand whore – as long as it's organic, I'll try it. Currently losing my mind over Organic India brand, especially the Red Chai Masala and the Rose (even though my Mum says it tastes like drinking perfume). I didn't realise that Nerada did organic teas, I will definitely keep an eye out for them!

Ewww sugar and milk in herbal tea is wrong anyway! I don't blame you for not adding it. Your compote sounds amazing. I like mine a little chunky, but your idea of making it like a smooth puree is such a good one 🙂

Haha I drink Irish Breakfast – the stronger the better! I find Earl and Lady grey a bit florally for my liking. And milky tea is the worst thing ever in the whole wide world!!! Oh god. I think I would insist on being in charge of my own milk pouring at your place, haha xx

I wish I'd known about it earlier! I'm seriously at the kitchen bench sniffing the packet like a madman. I don't think I'd put milk in it though… you're brave! I love chamomile at night, and I have one somewhere with chamomile and vanilla which is a bit yum.

I'd probably be with your mum on that one – I find a lot of herbal teas a bit floral for me. I didn't realise Nerada did organic either (just in case I didn't make that plain, duh), and I feel very silly for not taking more time in the tea aisle! Red Chai Masala sounds interesting… I wonder if I'm game enough to try it.

Oh, I forgot about Irish Breakfast. I'll have to give that a whirl again. I definitely love a strong cuppa, but I do think it would be best if you pour your own milk! Are you a milk first or second person?

Definitely second – I find there's too much margin for error when it goes in first! I need to see what colour it turns when I pour it in so I know when to stop. And chamomile is awesome! Only flowery tea I'll drink. I think its because it's the first herbal one I ever tried when I was a teen and it's familiar.